Circular Design and Environmental Education in Brazil: Cirandar

In Brazilian Portuguese, cirandar evokes the joyful act of dancing hand-in-hand in a continuous circle, guided by the rhythm of ciranda—a traditional dance rooted in community, inclusion, and shared movement. This circular motion is more than choreography; it’s a metaphor for collective harmony and the power of togetherness. Inspired by this symbolism, Cirandar is also […]

Open Hardware Solutions for Rural Water Access: A GIG Community Story

The latest Global Innovation Gathering (GIG) Community Call brought together members of the network to discuss an open-source project that directly addresses water access challenges in rural and coastal regions. The project centres on a portable, solar-powered reverse osmosis (RO) system with a seven-stage filtration design. Developed through collaboration and knowledge exchange, the system is […]

When innovation meets community: A collaboration between FabLab Winam and Toyota

At GIG, we love celebrating our members’ inspiring achievements, and we cannot wait to share this inspiring collaboration story we have witnessed from a GIG member this year. What happens when a local makerspace in Kenya partners with one of the world’s largest car manufacturers? A revolutionary seat that moves like the human spine, transforming […]

OAXIN Brings Community-Driven Innovation to Life at IDDS Ayuujk 2025 in Oaxaca, Mexico

Centro Oaxaqueño de Innovación (OAXIN), a Global Innovation Gathering Hub Member, is advancing community-driven design in Oaxaca through the International Development Design Summit (IDDS) Ayuujk 2025 in Santa María Tlahuitoltepec. This article outlines OAXIN’s approach, the summit’s scope, the projects under development, and the concrete ways supporters can enable continuity and implementation. Who is OAXIN? […]

LibreWater in Iraq: Advancing Small-Scale Solar Desalination

Water scarcity is persistent in many regions, particularly arid and semi-arid areas. Due to environmental and geopolitical factors, Iraq faces significant challenges in securing clean drinking water. LibreWater, an open-source initiative, seeks to address this issue through decentralized, small-scale solar desalination. The project is part of a broader effort from the Global Innovation Gathering to […]

GIG Presents mAkE Impact Stories

The mAkE Impact Stories report captures how the mAkE project has empowered makers, startups, policymakers, and organizations across Africa and Europe. By fostering collaboration between Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs) and makerspaces, the project created a platform for innovation, skill development, and sustainable growth. This report goes beyond quantitative data to showcase personal experiences that illustrate […]

Exploring Circular Economy Innovations: The SCoPE Initiative in Lomé

The SCoPE project, led by L’Africaine d’architecture and implemented at Woelab in Lomé, Togo, aims to tackle plastic waste issues by creating a circular economy model. Supported by the Stiftung Nord-Süd-Brücken and the Global Innovation Gathering, this initiative represents a collaborative effort to innovate waste management practices. Through the project, plastic waste is collected, sorted, […]